ANNEX

Time Out Says

Home to some of the most popular cafés in the capital, including tashas, The Coffee Club and Switch, Al Bateen has long been one of the coolest places to hang out of an evening.

With views over the moored boats, the silhouette of Etihad Towers standing in the background and a buzzing atmosphere, the appeal is really very easy to understand.

But up until now, the only thing the area was lacking was a slick bar, and that meant late-night partygoers were more likely to head to the islands of Al Maryah or Yas to get their dancing fix at the weekend.

However, since hipster-friendly hotel The Abu Dhabi EDITION arrived in town, all that has changed dramatically.

ANNEX officially opened last month, and the three-storey bar is now one of the hottest nightspots in town.

Each of the floors has a very different feel; the rooftop is for chilling and taking in the views, the middle floor has pool tables andgames, and the ground floor is the place to go when you want to dance until 4am.

Underground club night Boogie Box has already held two of its legendary parties here, and the venue’s reputation for offering brilliant nights out in an understated, but very classy environment, has already spread across the city.

We’re visiting after brunch on a Thursday night. As we enter over the wooden bridge lined with white candles, it all feels very exciting and exclusive.

We can hear the thumping base coming from ANNEX Club on the ground floor, but we decide to go up in the lift and check out the rooftop instead.

It’s busy with people lounging on the comfortable sofas and gathering around the fire pits.

It feels like a very stylish back garden, albeit one that’s also home to a swish and very well-stocked bar. The tunes are chilled and not too loud, and we treat ourselves to a couple of expertly made coffee-based mixed drinks.

The views over the waters of Al Bateen Marina below and bustling cafés make the place seem more desirable still, and by the time we leave, every possible seat is taken and people have started to gather around the bar as well.

Despite the fact that ANNEX is relatively new on the scene, it already feels like the place where everyone wants to be.It’s definitely our new favourite Thursday-night watering hole.

WHAT IS IT...The rooftop bar at the impossibly cool EDITION hotel

WHY GO...To chill out and have a natter while taking in the views and having a mixed drink

26 Feb 2019

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